The Orkney Islands - a World Apart

The Orkney Islands are located off the northern tip of
Scotland where the North Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.
Orkney is made up of 70 or so islands and skerries, currently
21 of them are inhabited.

Kirkwall

The main town and Capital of the islands is Kirkwall and
with its narrow main street with many craft and gift shops,
cafes, hotel restaurants and bars is a great central location
from which to explore the islands. Kirkwall is dominated by the
magnificent St Magnus Cathedral, founded by Earl Rognvald
Kolson in 1137, with its red sandstone walls and large columns,
ramparts and vaulted ceiling is a 'must see' if visiting the
capital. Other historical remains are close by and also worth
exploring and of course all the local amenities you would
expect in a large town are also available.

Stromness

Stromness is the second biggest town in Orkney and
undoubtedly the most picturesque. The town grew up around the
sheltered harbour of Hamnavoe as the fishing industry grew and
trade routes opened with Canada. The narrow winding street
follows the shoreline with many lanes and alleyways leading
off. Houses along the waterfront have private piers and
slipways and the dramatic backdrop of Brinkies Brae and the
hills of Hoy make this another 'must see' for any visitor. The
award winning Pier Arts Centre is also found in the centre of
the town and the museum gives an excellent account of Orkney's
maritime history.

Ring of Brodgar & Standing Stones of Stenness

The Stones of Stenness and the Ring of Brodgar are two of
Britains best-preserved prehistoric monuments. They were
built between 5,400 and 4,500 years ago.

Skara Brae

The Neolithic settlement of Skara Brae lies near the
dramatic white beach of the Bay of Skaill. Skara Brae is the
best-preserved group of prehistoric houses in western Europe.
Uncovered by a storm in 1850, the site presents a remarkable
picture of life around 5,000 years ago. Visitors can experience
a vivid impression of the realities of a prehistoric village
and see ancient homes fitted with stone bed enclosures,
dressers and seats. A replica construction allows visitors to
fully understand the interior of a prehistoric house.

Skapa Flow

After World War One the German Fleet was
interned at Skapa Flow under the terms of the Armistice
whilst negotiations took place over the fate of the ships.
Fearing that all of the ships would be seized and divided
amongst the allied powers, the German commander, Admiral Ludwig
von Reuter decided to scuttle the fleet. The scuttling was
carried out on 21 June 1919.

Churchill Barriers

The Churchill Barriers were originally constructed during
World War II, on the orders of First Lord of the Admiralty
Winston Churchill, to protect the eastern approaches to the
British home fleet anchorage in Scapa flow. The channels lying
between the small islands to the east were seen as a potential
threat, as they left the anchorage open to attack. To counter
this threat, blockships were sunk in the channels to render
them unusable. Unfortunately, the deployment of the blockships
was to prove less effective than planned, and on October 14,
1939 a German U boat, taking advantage of
an unusually high tide, successfully navigated past the
blockships undetected and launched 7 torpedoes, 3 of which
struck HMS Royal Oak which sunk within 15 minutes. Churchill
visited the area soon after the tragedy and immediately ordered
the construction of causeways to block the channels
permanently. Four barriers would be built: the first from
Mainland to Lamb Holm; the second from Lamb Holm to Glimps
Holm; the third from Glimps Holm to Burray; and the fourth from
Burray to South Ronaldsay.

The Italian Chapel

The Italian Chapel is a highly ornate Catholic chapel on
Lamb Holm. It was built during World War II, from 2 nissen
huts, by Italian prisoners of war, who were housed on the
previously uninhabited island while they constructed the
Churchill Barriers to the east of Scapa Flow. Only the concrete
foundations of the other buildings of the prisoner-of-war camp
survive. It was not completed until after the end of the war,
and was restored in the 1960s and again in the 1990s. It is now
a popular tourist attraction, and a category A listed building.
Most of the interior decoration was done by Domenico
Chiocchetti, a prisoner from Moena. He painted the sanctuary
end of the chapel and fellow-prisoners decorated the entire
interior. They created a facade out of concrete, concealing the
shape of the hut and making the building look like a church.
Chiocchetti remained on the island to finish the chapel, even
when his fellow prisoners were released shortly before the end
of the war.

Today the tin tabernacle is still used as a chapel and
remains a popular tourist attraction, receiving over 100,000
visitors every year. It has become one of the best-known and
moving symbols of reconciliation in the British Isles.

Sunday 7th July

We depart Cumbria in the morning and travel north via Stirling, Perth and Inverness to Thurso and our overnight stay at the Station Hotel, dinner in the hotel.

D

Monday 8th July

Following breakfast in the hotel we have a short visit to John O’ Groats for a photo opportunity before heading to Scrabster and the lunchtime sailing to Stromness. After our arrival on Orkney we have a drive around the Ring of Brodgar, calling at the famous Stones of Stenness. We then check in to the Stromness Hotel for the next 4 nights, Dinner in the hotel.

B, D

Tuesday 9th July

A full day tour today where we see some dramatic coastal scenery, tranquil agricultural landscape and an opportunity to discover over 5000 years of history at the World Heritage site Skara Brae. We return to Stromness for dinner.

B, D

Wednesday 10th July

Morning visit to Kirkwall. Time at leisure to explore Kirkwall and its magnificent 12th century cathedral. We return to Stromness early afternoon. Dinner at the hotel.

B, D

Thursday 11th July

A full day guided tour of the eastern mainland including Scapa Flow, the Churchill Barriers and the famous Italian Chapel. We return to Stromness and our farewell dinner in the hotel.

B, D

Friday 12th July

After breakfast we leave our hosts on Orkney and return via the mid-morning ferry to Scrabster and then home to Cumbria and we are due to arrive home late evening.

B

B=Breakfast Included, D=Dinner Included

Stromness Hotel

Overlooking the picturesque harbour in Stromness (birthplace
of George MacKay Brown), the Stromness Hotel provides
comfortable accommodation and finest Orkney produce in our
Scapa Flow restaurant to make your trip to Orkney very
special.

Established in 1901, our historic 42 bedroomed hotel lies in
the heart of the unique fishing port of Stromness, overlooking
the working harbour and Scapa Flow. The bedrooms are ensuite
with telephones, colour television and tea/coffee making
facilities. A lift serves all floors.

With award winning Orkney Ales and over one hundred malt
whiskies (including special bottlings from the Highland Park
Distillery and Scapa Distillery), the residents lounge of the
hotel offers a quiet and cosy atmosphere in this historic town
in Orkney.

Indulge in the charm of a picturesque village harbour view
from the bay windows of the Hamnavoe Lounge Bar where award
winning Orkney Ales are available on tap or enjoy a welcoming
open fire and warm atmosphere in the traditional splendour of
the Flattie Bar. Residents can enjoy a cosy quiet atmosphere in
the Still Room with a choice of over one hundred malt
whiskies.

The a la carte Scapa Flow Restaurant prides itself on using
the finest local Orcadian produce - the very best grass-reared
beef, fresh fish and succulent shellfish.

To the rear of the Hotel we have a large beautifully kept
Victorian Garden where residents can enjoy a stroll in the
evening or a quiet refreshment whilst relaxing in the
afternoon.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

Below is a list of pick-up points available on this tour.

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